ByDifferent breeds of cats have different behavior, preferences, hobbies or instincts, unique characteristics, likes, and dislikes. These depend on where they originated from and their physiology.
If you’ve searched for “what cat breed should I get” on Google, you must be looking for a breed that matches your unique lifestyle. If you’re looking for a cat as a pet, chances are you’ll love any breed that comes your way. We don’t judge by breed, do we?
However, choosing the right breed is to only make love easier, so you find a cat that suits Your personality the best. Your pet and you will complement each other’s personality and will be much happier!
And we are here to tell you that yes, choosing the right breed is important since the kitty is to stay with you forever and become a family member real swift. The bond to build is a unique one, so why not choose wisely?
As of 2019, The international cat association recognizes 71 breeds of cats. But only one is meant to be your baby forever.
Where to start?
CAT BREED SELECTORS
You can start by using many websites available online, such as Purina Cat Breed Selector or visit animalplanet.com to find out the history and characteristics of different cat breeds.
This will help find your perfect match or give you some options at least.
Here are some links you can follow:
There are more cat breed selectors and quizzes available online, where you can find the right match of the cat breed.
You can also take a personality test online and find out which breed will complement your specific lifestyle. Not only that, you may discover habits and preferences you have relevant to having a pet, which you may have not been aware of before.
Make a list!
The first thing you need to do is analyze your own lifestyle, habits, and preferences.
Then you should identify what physical characteristics or attributes you want in your feline companion. For example, what color, print, and coat length you would like to see in your pet.
Choose whether your pet should be a long-haired cat or a short-haired one.
Some people like flat-faced breeds more such as The Persian cat, others may prefer a more fluffy breed like the Maine Coon cat.
Then make up your mind about whether you want to adopt or buy a kitten, or give your home to an older cat. Many people have preferences on the age of their pet. Because some people are up for raising a kitten and others may want a companion without going through the trouble of raising, training, and so on.
However, if you’re someone who thinks age is irrelevant anyway then we would suggest you go for a grown cat. Grown cats have a much harder time finding a home and you’d literally be saving a life.
You might also want to consider what gender you want to pick. People with existing female cats may not prefer another female, to avoid conflict. Some may want a male cat, who are known to be more dominant.
Decide on exactly how attentive your feline friend should be. Do you want a cat who will sleep and cuddle all day? or a really active and energetic one who loves playing or is outgoing?
A pro tip is to make a list of all the attributes and characteristics you want in your closest confidante, and then make a decision based on your needs and the choices available.
Write down what behavior you prefer from your to-be pet and what behaviors you want to avoid!
You can easily do your research on the web now since you know exactly what type you are looking for and what type to avoid reading through.
This will make the hunting process easier and smoother. For example, you can just easily type “lazy fluffy long-haired cat breeds” online, and now you won’t have to look at the short-haired or active categories.
Knowing exactly what you want will always help to narrow down the options.
Here we’ve laid out some of the most notable breeds of our feline friends, so you get to recognize and pick your own litter match.
American Shorthair
Physical Attributes:
- Dense Short Fur
- Muscular
- Common Coat: Brown, Grey, Ginger, Blue, Black, Moo, Tortoiseshell, White, Silver, Many more variations (80 differing colors and shades and crosses).
- Male: >15 lbs.
- Female: >12 lbs.
Breed Characteristics:
- Curious about the world and observes everything happening from the cat’s own POV.
- Very Playful.
- They have really good motor skills
Origin:
Because of their adamant mice hunting capabilities, they were believed to be brought in by Americans from Europe.
Scottish Fold
Physical Attributes:
- Folded Ears
- Stubbed nose
- Short legs
- Male: large: >12 lbs.
- Female: medium: 8-12 lbs.
Breed Characteristics:
- Very calm and gentle, ideal feline partners for babies and other cats.
- Loves the attention.
- Are susceptible to degenerative joint disease and heart disease.
Origin:
In Scotland in 1960, when a cat with a folded ear went through a genetic mutation that led to the breed we know and adore as Scottish Fold.
Persian
Physical Attributes:
14-18 inch (excl. tail).
7-12 lbs.
Muscular.
Common Coat.
Breed Characteristics:
Very Quiet.
Very Harmless.
Only comfortable with the constant company.
Origin:
Back in the 17th Century, an Italian traveler brought this Arab beauty to Europe.
Maine Coon
Physical Attributes:
- Can weigh somewhere between 6.5-11 lb 35-60 lb(Exceptional cases)
- Good Health & Expected Long Life.
- Reaches puberty at the ripe age of 1 year old.
- Muscular Limbs.
- Waterproof Undercoat
- 30+ coat colors
- Long coat length
- Highly Susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy & dysplasia
- Non-Hypoallergenic Breed
Breed Characteristics:
- Very vocal.
- Needs Attention
- Needs more food than the average-sized cat.
Origin:
Back in 1850, sailors brought in this long haired cat to the state of Maine, America.
Ragdoll
Physical Attributes:
- Lives 12-17 years.
- 17-21 inches (excl. tail)
- Looks like a cross between Siamese and Maine Coon in its size, coat, and the coat color pattern.
- Susceptible to Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(Which can be confirmed through a DNA test), feline infectious peritonitis(FIP), and calcium oxalate bladder stones
- Sparkling Blue Eyes
Breed Characteristics:
- A Distinctive trait of falling into the arms of anyone holding one.
- Can learn ‘Fetch’ fast.
- Very sociable, will participate in family activities and greet at the door.
- Needs combing once to twice a week.
- Multiple Growth Spurts(You get to see them grow for a while)
Origin:
The Breed was developed by Ann Baker sometime around 1960.
Bengal
Physical Attributes:
- Life Expectancy: 10-16 years.
- Weighs between 8 to 17 lb.
- Asian Leopard Spotted Coat
- Prone to Flat-chested kitten syndrome, Distal neuropathy, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Patellar luxation, and Progressive retinal atrophy.
Breed Characteristics:
- Very hyper.
- Great Agility.
- Intelligent
- Easily susceptible to forming bad habits like turning the switches off and on, back and forth.
Origin:
- Accidental and unexpected mating between a leopard and a tomcat at 19.
- At the same time, Dr. Willard Centerwall cross breeded an Asian Leopard and a Domestic Cat at Loyola University.
Sphinx
Physical Attributes:
- Both the male and the female weigh around 12 lb.
- Life spans from 8 to 12 years.
- Prominent cheekbones.
- Bald Coat(short hair that can seem like shaved skin until closer inspection)
- Very prone to cold due to little hair.
Breed Characteristics:
- Very Friendly and Touchy-Feely.
- Loud Purr-er.
- A Generous Appetite
Origin:
Was born in Toronto, Canada back in 1966, to shorthair parents through ‘natural genetic mutation’
Serval
Physical Attributes:
- One of the largest domestic cats around.
- Cheetah Hide.
- Can leap over 2m.
Breed Characteristics:
- Dog-like Characteristics.
- A very distinctive set of voices and cries and sounds.
- Very loyal and seeks out love.
- High Food Cost
- Not ideal for families with babies or small pets due to their rather wild nature.
- Should have a big enough litter box
Origin:
Native african cat but more in number in Sub-Saharan Areas
THE ABYSSINIAN CAT
Physical Attributes:
- Born with dark coats that brighten as the breed ages.
- Can weigh from 8-12 lb.
- Lives for about 9-13 years.
- Good climber of trees.
Breed Characteristics:
- It’s one of the more curious sides of cat breeds you can experience with the abyssinian cat.
- Seeks out human companionship and can easily be your closest confidant.
- Dog-like Characteristics.
- Quiet but very energetic at the same time.
Origin:
Some say they can be traced back to Egypt, centuries ago. While others say the Abyssinian cat was developed in The UK during a military expedition to Abyssinia.
Hope this article has helped you realize which breed checks all your boxes, and is potentially your ideal pet!
